Devices for Removal of Moisture

ABSTRACT

Devices for removal of moisture are provided. Also provided are wearable apparatuses that include devices for removal of moisture.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/544,348, filed Aug. 11, 2017, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to devices for removal of moisture from athletic gear and clothing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Athletic gear, such as gloves, pads, helmets, masks, shoes, skates, and other articles of clothing, must protect an athlete's body from a variety of physical stresses. To provide adequate protection, such gear must fit securely over various parts of the athlete's body, typically either in direct contact with the skin or over an undergarment made of thin material, such as a sock or undershirt. The exertion during sporting activity causes most athletes to sweat, even in sports performed in cold environments, and the proximity of the gear to the user's skin results in inundation of the equipment with sweat. When the athlete removes the equipment after completing a day's sporting activity, storage of the sweat-soaked gear allows the proliferation of bacteria and other microorganisms, which produce foul-smelling odors. Given that many pieces of athletic equipment are shared by multiple users in settings such as rental facilities and children's sports leagues, the offensive smell is particularly problematic; an aversion to noisome communal gear prevents some people from participating in certain sports altogether. In addition to generating bad odors, microbial growth can damage the equipment.

Existing approaches to combat the effects of odor-causing bacteria in athletic gear are inadequate. Whereas sweaty clothes can be readily washed in a washing machine, most athletic shoes, skates, pads, and helmets are not machine-washable. Various insoles can be used to address bad-smelling footwear, but each type has limitations. For example, some insoles merely provide aromas to mask the smell of microbes without inhibiting their growth, while other types that absorb moisture must be frequently replaced due to their limited absorption capacity. Odor-fighting solutions for gear that covers other parts of the body, such as pads, helmets, and masks, are largely limited to fragrances and anti-microbial liquids that can be sprayed onto equipment between uses. Consequently, smelly gear continues to plague dedicated athletes and deter others from engaging in a variety of healthy and enjoyable recreational sports.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Provided herein are devices for removal of moisture from athletic gear, clothing, and other accessories. The devices include a desiccant contained within a water-permeable external material made of a fabric coated with a wicking agent. Preferably, the desiccant is composed of particles, such as beads or granules, that contain a hydrous phyllosilicate mineral, such as vermiculite. The fabric may be a synthetic material, such as polyester, or a natural material, such as wool, and the coating may be any wicking agent that facilitates the movement of moisture across the fabric.

The devices are useful for removing moisture that accumulates in portions of athletic gear, such as padding, when the user sweats during physical activity. After a sporting activity, the device can be inserted into a glove, skate, shoe, or other accessory that generally restricts the flow of air around damp padding. In that damp, semi-enclosed environment, moisture evaporating from the piece of gear is wicked inward across the external material of the device and into the desiccant, where it is retained. This promotes the drying of the equipment's interior, which minimizes the growth of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that produce offensive odors. After moisture removal is complete, the device can be removed from the piece of gear and placed in a dry environment. Under dry conditions, the flow of moisture is reversed: water is released from the desiccant and wicked outward across the external material, where it evaporates from the outer surface of the device. Consequently, the device is restored to its original state and ready for reuse. By cycling between phases of moisture absorption and evaporation, the device can be used repeatedly without loss of its functionality.

In an aspect, the invention provides devices for removal of moisture. The devices include a desiccant contained within a water-permeable external material that includes a fabric coated with a wicking agent. The desiccant may include particles, such as beads, granules, or other small objects of regular or irregular shape. The particles may have an average diameter of less than 1 inch, 0.5 inches, 0.4 inches, 0.3 inches, 0.2 inches, 0.1 inches, 0.05 inches, 0.025 inches, 0.01 inches, 0.005 inches, or 0.0025 inches.

The desiccant may include a hydrous phyllosilicate mineral. The desiccant may include vermiculite. Alternatively or additionally, the desiccant may include silica gel, activated aluminum oxide, crystalline aluminosilicate, a molecular sieve, bentonite clay, or talc.

The desiccant may be able to absorb an amount of liquid, e.g., water, equal to or greater than the weight of the desiccant. For example, the desiccant may be able to absorb at least 100%, 200%, 300%, 400%, 500%, 600%, 700%, 800%, or 1000% its weight in liquid, e.g., water.

The fabric may include polyester, wool, cotton, acrylic, nylon, rayon, acetate, spandex, latex, or a para-aramid synthetic fiber. The fabric may include a mixture of materials. For example, the fabric may include a mixture of one or more of polyester, wool, cotton, acrylic, nylon, rayon, acetate, spandex, latex, and a para-aramid synthetic fiber in defined ratios.

The wicking agent may include nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate, a fatty acid, a nonionic surfactant, a hydrophilic siloxane-based polymer, a polyaniline, a polymethylmethacrylate, a polyvinyl sulfate, silica, iron, titania, alumina, silica doped titania, sodium lauryl sulfate, colloidal silicon dioxide, kaolin, titanium dioxide, fumed silicon dioxide, niacinamide, m-pyrol, bentonite, magnesium aluminum silicate, polyester, polyethylene, or low molecular weight polyvinylpyrrolidone. The wicking agent may be swelling or non-swelling.

The device may include a fragrance agent. The fragrance agent may be in contact with the external material, the desiccant, or both.

The device may include an anti-microbial agent. The anti-microbial agent may be in contact with the external material, the desiccant, or both. For example, the external material may include an anti-bacterial coating. The anti-microbial agent may be silver, copper, an organosilane, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, magnetite, magnesium oxide, god, gallium, carbon nanotubes, 3-(trimethoxysilyl)-propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride, alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, or didecyldimethylammonium chloride.

The device may include padding material. The padding material may be in contact with the external material. For example, the padding material may contact the inner surface, outer surface, or both of the external material.

In another aspect, the invention provides wearable apparatuses that include a device as described above secured to an interior portion of an article of athletic equipment. The device may be attached to an interior surface of the article. The device may be removable from the article. The article may be a shoe, boot, skate, glove, body pad, helmet, mask, shirt, pant, vest, jacket, coat, cap, hat, rifle, bow, bag, scarf, undergarment, belt, harness, wading gear, tent, sleeping bag, ground cloth, or chair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a device according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an interior view of a wearable apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides devices that remove moisture from, or prevent accumulation of moisture in, athletic gear, clothing, and other items. During physical activity, the body produces sweat to cool itself as the sweat evaporates from the skin. If a padded article, such as a glove or helmet, is in contact with a person's skin during physical activity, it can become soaked with sweat. If the moisture is not promptly removed, bacteria, fungi, and other microbes can grow on the padded material and produce offensive odors. Because the devices of the invention remove moisture from poorly-aerated spaces, they curb microbial growth in athletic gear and eliminate the attendant odors.

FIG. 1 illustrates a device 101 according to an embodiment of the invention. The device 101 includes a desiccant 105 contained within a water-permeable external material 103. The external material 103 includes a fabric coated with a wicking agent, which allows liquids, particularly aqueous liquids, to pass across the fabric. The external material 103 may take the form of a container, casing, closed pouch, or bag. The external material may include one or more closeable openings, such as a zipper, to allow the addition, removal, or replacement of the desiccant 105.

Generally, the desiccant is hygroscopic, i.e., it can attract and retain water molecules from the surrounding environment. Water retention may occur through absorption or adsorption. Although it is understood that adsorption and absorption are phenomenologically different processes at the molecular level, the term “absorption” is used herein to refer generally to the macroscopic phenomenon in which a substance takes in and retains, at least temporarily or under certain conditions of humidity, water, which could be consequence of adsorption or absorption at the molecular level. Preferably, the desiccant is not deliquescent. The desiccant may include a hydrous phyllosilicate mineral. The desiccant may include vermiculite. Alternatively or additionally, the desiccant may include silica gel, activated aluminum oxide, crystalline aluminosilicate, a molecular sieve, bentonite clay, or talc.

It is advantageous for the desiccant to have the capacity to adsorb or absorb a large amount of water. Thus, in some embodiments, the desiccant may be able to absorb an amount of liquid, e.g., water, equal to or greater than the weight of the desiccant. For example, the desiccant may be able to absorb at least 100%, 200%, 300%, 400%, 500%, 600%, 700%, 800%, or 1000% its weight in liquid, e.g., water.

As shown in FIG. 1, the desiccant may include particles. The use of small desiccant particles (as compared to a single, large piece of desiccant) provides a high surface area-to-volume ratio, which facilitates extraction of water from the environment. The particles may be beads, granules, or other small objects. The particles may have regular or irregular shapes, and they may be homogeneous or heterogeneous in size. The particles may have an average diameter of less than 1 inch, 0.5 inches, 0.4 inches, 0.3 inches, 0.2 inches, 0.1 inches, 0.05 inches, 0.025 inches, 0.01 inches, 0.005 inches, or 0.0025 inches. For non-spherical or irregularly-shaped particles, the diameter may refer to the longest distance across the particle.

Preferably, the fabric of the external material 103 is compliant to give the device an adjustable shape, thereby allowing the device to fit easily into a piece of athletic gear or clothing. Thus, the device 101 may generally have a structure or feel resembling a bean bag or pillow. The fabric may be polyester, wool, cotton, acrylic, nylon, rayon, acetate, spandex, latex, or a para-aramid synthetic fiber. The fabric may include a mixture of materials. For example, the fabric may include a mixture of one or more of polyester, wool, cotton, acrylic, nylon, rayon, acetate, spandex, latex, and a para-aramid synthetic fiber in defined ratios.

The wicking agent may include nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate, a fatty acid, a nonionic surfactant, a hydrophilic siloxane-based polymer, a polyaniline, a polymethylmethacrylate, a polyvinyl sulfate, silica, iron, titania, alumina, silica doped titania, sodium lauryl sulfate, colloidal silicon dioxide, kaolin, titanium dioxide, fumed silicon dioxide, niacinamide, m-pyrol, bentonite, magnesium aluminum silicate, polyester, polyethylene, or low molecular weight polyvinylpyrrolidone. The wicking agent may be swelling or non-swelling.

The wicking agent may be coated onto the fabric by any suitable method. For example and without limitation, the wicking agent may be applied spraying or dipping. The wicking agent coating may comprise a nanoparticle and/or nanofilm coating applied over the fabric.

For certain applications, it may be advantageous for the moisture removal device to be scented. Thus, the device may include a fragrance agent, such as a substance that produces a natural or pleasant odor. Alternatively, for use in certain applications, such as hunting, it may be advantageous for the device to have as little detectable scent as possible. Thus, the device may be may be free or substantially free of fragrance agents.

The device 101 may include a strap or handle to facilitate removal of the device from a piece of athletic gear. Preferably, the strap or handle is made of cloth, fabric, or another soft and pliable material.

The device 101 may be designed for removable insertion into a piece of athletic gear, such as a shoe, skate, boot, pad (e.g., shin guard, knee pad, elbow pad, chest protector, etc.), glove, mask, helmet, or the like, an article of clothing, such as a sock, pant, shirt, undergarment, jersey, hat, cap, jacket, vest, or the like, or an athletic accessory, such as a bag.

The device may include padding. The padding may be distinct from, but in contact with, the external material. For example, the padding may contact the inner surface, outer surface, or both of the external material.

The invention also provides wearable athletic equipment that includes one or more devices described above.

FIG. 2 is an interior view of a wearable apparatus 211 according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus 211 includes an article 207 of athletic equipment and a device 201 secured to an interior surface of the article 207. The device 201 includes a desiccant 205 contained within a water-permeable external material 203 as described above. The article 207 generally includes an outward-facing rigid or semi-rigid portion that provides the user protection against impact from balls, pucks, sticks, and opposing players. The article 207 may also include one or more pads 209 that cushion contact between the user's body and the rigid or semi-rigid portion of the article 207. The pads 209 may be made of a type of foam or other viscoelastic material. Generally, pads 209 are the components of the article 207 of equipment that are most susceptible to microbial growth because they absorb more sweat due to their proximity to the user's skin and may have porous structures that tend to retain moisture. Consequently, placement of the device 201 adjacent to a pad 209 on an interior portion of the article 207 is more effective at minimizing accumulation of moisture in the pad 209 and preventing microbial growth.

The device 201 may be removable from the article 207 to allow washing and/or restoration (i.e., removal of moisture from the desiccant 205) of the device 201. Removable fastening means, such as snaps, buttons, zippers, hook-and-loop fasteners, and the like, are known within the art, and any removable fastening means may be used to secure the device 201 to the article 207.

The article 207 may be any type of athletic gear or clothing. For example and without limitation, the article may be a shoe, boot, skate, glove, body pad (for example, a knee pad, elbow pad, shoulder pad, shin guard, or chest pad), helmet, mask, shirt, pant, vest, jacket, coat, cap, or hat.

One type of sporting activity in which odor is particularly important is hunting. Most game animals have keen olfactory senses and rely more heavily on scent than on sight to detect nearby predators, including humans. Consequently, strong-smelling clothing and hunting equipment can forewarn quarry of a hunter's approach and thwart the hunter's efforts to get close enough for a kill. Therefore, in certain embodiments, the article 207 is a piece of equipment used in hunting, such as a rifle, bow, bag, vest, hat, shirt, pant, boot, mask, glove, jacket, scarf, undergarment, belt, harness, wading gear, tent, sleeping bag, ground cloth, or chair.

The effects of perspiration create similar problem for military gear, such as boots, armor, helmets, body pads, tents, backpacks, and the like. Thus, the invention contemplates moisture removal devices for use with military equipment, including wearable apparatuses and other pieces of military gear that include moisture removal devices.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

References and citations to other documents, such as patents, patent applications, patent publications, journals, books, papers, web contents, have been made throughout this disclosure. All such documents are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

EQUIVALENTS

Various modifications of the invention and many further embodiments thereof, in addition to those shown and described herein, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the full contents of this document, including references to the scientific and patent literature cited herein. The subject matter herein contains important information, exemplification and guidance that can be adapted to the practice of this invention in its various embodiments and equivalents thereof. 

1. A device for removal of moisture, the device comprising: a water-permeable external material substantially surrounding a cavity, the external material comprising a fabric coated with a wicking agent that allows moisture to pass through the external material into the cavity and out of the cavity; and a desiccant comprising movable particles disposed within the cavity; wherein the device is configured to reversibly remove moisture from a first surrounding environment and release moisture into a second surrounding environment.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the desiccant comprises a hydrous phyllosilicate mineral.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the hydrous phyllosilicate mineral is vermiculite.
 4. (canceled)
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the particles have an average diameter of less than 0.5 inches.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the desiccant can absorb at least 100% of its weight in water.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the fabric comprises one selected from the group consisting of polyester, wool, cotton, acrylic, nylon, rayon, acetate, spandex, latex, and a para-aramid synthetic fiber.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the fabric comprises polyester.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the wicking agent is selected from the group consisting of nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate, a fatty acid, a nonionic surfactant, a hydrophilic siloxane-based polymer, a polyaniline, a polymethylmethacrylate, a polyvinyl sulfate, silica, iron, titania, alumina, silica doped titania, sodium lauryl sulfate, colloidal silicon dioxide, kaolin, titanium dioxide, fumed silicon dioxide, niacinamide, m-pyrol, bentonite, magnesium aluminum silicate, polyester, polyethylene, and low molecular weight polyvinylpyrrolidone.
 10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a fragrance agent in contact with at least one of the external material and the desiccant.
 11. The device of claim 1, further comprising an antimicrobial agent in contact with at least one of the external material and the desiccant.
 12. The device of claim 1, further comprising padding material in contact with the external material. 13-20. (canceled)
 21. The device of claim 1, wherein the external material comprises a closeable opening. 